Electrical connection device for vehicles

ABSTRACT

An electrical connection device is disclosed for establishing an electrical circuit between a relatively fixed stationary location and a movable vehicle and comprises a directional guide and connection receptacle mounted on the vehicle and an elongated probe carrying electrical conductors movably mounted on a fixed support and incorporating switch means which are actuated by the positioning of the probe relative to its environment and support means as by registry with the directional guide and connection receptacle on the vehicle.

United States Patent Inventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee James 1.. Elmes Youngstown, Ohio 836,355

June 25, 1969 July 27, 1971 Howard Gros Poland, Ohio 1 part interest toELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR VEHICLES 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl ZOO/51.09, 307/l0,320/2 Int. Cl H0lh 33/30 Field of Search 200/51 .07-

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,717,467 6/1929 Schleich etal..... 200/51.09 2,020,402 11/1935 Edwards et al. ZOO/51.09 3,059,073l0/l962 French, Jr. ZOO/51.09 3,115,724 12/1963 Clarke 200161.59 X3,452,167 6/1969 Fee ZOO/51.09

Primary Examiner- David Smith, Jr.

Attorney-Webster B. Harpman 29 2a L: w

PATENTEUJULZYIQTI 3596'018 FIG. 3 INVENTOR.

JAMES L. ELMES ATTORNEY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR VEHICLESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field ofthe Invention This inventionrelates to electrical connection devices for establishing electricalcircuits between fixed and movable objects.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior structures of this type haveemployed various receptacles incorporating connection means and plugscarrying electrical conductors such as for example, telephone and radiojacks. Additionally, electrical couplers for railway cars using fixedreceptacles and plugs are known in U.S. Pat. No. 593,965 and anautomatic electrical connection device incorporating a probe and adrogue-shaped receptacle are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,396. Thisinvention discloses a probe carrying electrical conductors and arrangedin movable relation to a supporting device which in turn is movablymounted on a fixed surface to accommodate variations in the position ofthe vehicle carrying the directional guide and connection device so asto make possible a satisfactory alignment and electrical connection asthe vehicle moves toward the relatively fixed probe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electrical connection device for vehiclescomprises a directional guide and connection receptacle mounted on thevehicle and a probe carrying electrical conductors movably mounted foractuating a switch means in a support device which in turn is movablymounted with respect to a fixed supporting surface. The arrangement ofthe directional guide and connection receptacle is such that it can beincorporated in the ornamental grill work ofa motor vehicle, forexample, and it will provide tolerance for misalignment with the probewhen the vehicle is directed there against. The probe itself issupported in a structure which is movably mounted on a fixed supportingsurface such as a building wall or the like and provides additionalcompensating movement as necessary for the alignment of the probe withthe directional guide and connection receptacle of the vehicle toovercome ordinary misalignment between the same. An electrical switchincorporating in the probe-mounting structure disconnects the electricalconductors in the probe at such time as the probe moves outwardly of itssupport structure as when it is disengaged from the guide and connectionreceptacle on the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating aportion ofa vehicle with the directional guide and connection receptaclethereon and the connection probe and supporting structure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale on line 4-4 of FIG. 1and FIG. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In its simplest form theelectrical connection device for vehicles comprises a drogue-shapedguide having a connection receptacle II in the smaller end thereof and aclosure 12 on the opposite end which closure 12 preferably comprises apair of hinged doors normally spring loaded to closed position.

adjacent the opposite ends of the probe 13. The probe 13 is itselfslidably supported in a tubular guide 18 which is mounted in areceptacle box 19 as best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

By referring thereto it will be observed that brushes 20 are mounted inthe tubular guide 18 for electrical contact with the rings 17 on theprobe 13 when the probe 13 is moved to a first position. A spring 21 inthe tubular guide 18 normally urges the probe 13 outwardly of thetubular guide 18 to a second position as illustrated.

Electrical conductors 22 extend by way of a switch 23 exteriorly of thereceptacle box 19 and are connected to a suitable source of electricalenergy.

A projecting partial collar 24 is positioned on the probe 13 inside thereceptacle box 19 so as to limit the travel of the probe 13 relativethereto and so as to engage the actuating member of the switch 23 whenthe partial collar 24 engages the same as will occur when the probe 13moves inwardly of the tubular guide 18 and positions the rings 17 inregistry with the brushes 20 as heretofore described.

It will thus be seen that when the probe 13 is in the positionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is no electricalenergy present in the rings 16 and that the same are energized only atsuch time as the probe 13 has entered the drogue-brushes 20 and theswitch 23 has been closed.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that simultaneously the rings16 will engage brushes 25 in the connection receptacle II which brushes25 are in turn electrically connected with a pair of conductors 26 inthe vehicle carrying the device so that electrical apparatus in thevehicle may be operated either directly or by remote control as desired.Such electrical apparatus may include an electrically operated spaceheater for the passenger compartment of the vehicle an engine heater forthe engine therein and starting means and any or all of these devicesmay be subject to timed control either directly or remotely.Additionally, battery charging equipment may be electrically connectedto maintain the storage battery in the vehicle in charged condition.

In the case of electrically driven vehicles, the storage batteriesproviding the propulsion power will be recharged through the electricalconnection disclosed and in internal combustion engine driven vehiclesthe auxiliary electrical devices such as hereinbefore referred to may beactuated by the electrical connection device.

By referring again to the drawing and FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will beobserved that the receptacle box 19 is flexibly mounted on a supportingsurface such as a wall 27 by suitable means which may comprise aplurality of springs 28 attached to the outer surfaces of the box 19 andsupporting the same in movable relation with respect to a cross-shapedbracket 29 which has out turned arms 30 to which the springs 28 areattached. The flexible mounting of the receptacle box 19 is necessaryand desirable to accommodate variations in the positioning of thedirectional guide and connection receptacle on the motor vehicle and itwill be observed that the mounting illustrated and described hereinpermits the receptacle box 19 and the probe 13 to move vertically and/orhorizontally as necessary to properly align with the drogue-shaped guide10 and the connection receptacle 11 thereof.

Variations in the flexible mounting means for the receptacle box 19 willoccur to those skilled in the art and may comprise a substitution ofresilient and/or yielding movable means for the springs 28 as will occurto those skilled in the art.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and having thus described myinvention.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical connection device for vehicles including a directionalguide and connection receptacle mounted thereon, electrical contacts insaid connection receptacle, an elongated probe and a movable supportdevice therefor including guide means therein movably mounting saidelongated probe, electrical conductors in said probe and electricalcontacts on said probe in connection with said conductors and means insaid support device normally urging said probe outwardly therefrom, saidelectrical contacts in said connection receptacle arranged forengagement with some of the electrical contacts on said probe, secondaryelectrical conductors and contacts in said support device arranged forregistry with other of said electrical contacts on said probe and switchmeans in said support device controlling said secondary electricalconductors and arranged for actuation by said probe when said probe ismoved relative to said support device.

2. The electrical connection device of claim 1 including means mountingsaid movable support device for vertical and horizontal movement wherebysaid probe may move so as to suitably engage said directional guide andconnection recepta-

1. An electrical connection device for vehicles including a directionalguide and connection receptacle mounted thereon, electrical contacts insaid connection receptacle, an elongated probe and a movable supportdevice therefor including guide means therein movably mounting saidelongated probe, electrical conductors in said probe and electricalcontacts on said probe in connection with said conductors and means insaid support device normally urging said probe outwardly therefrom, saidelectrical contacts in said connection receptacle arranged forengagement with some of the electrical contacts on said probe, secondaryelectrical conductors and contacts in said support device arranged forregistry with other of said electrical contacts on said probe and switchmeans in said support device controlling said secondary electricalconductors and arranged for actuation by said probe when said probe ismoved relative to said support device.
 2. The electrical connectiondevice of claim 1 including means mounting said movable support devicefor vertical and horizontal movement whereby said probe may move so asto suitably engage said directional guide and connection receptacle onsaid vehicle.
 3. The electrical connection device of claim 1 whereinresilient means urges said probe outwardly of said support device. 4.The electrical connection device of claim 2 and wherein said meansmounting said movable support device consists of pairs of oppositelydisposed springs.